2008 bmw 120i problems

The 2008 BMW 120i (E87, N46 2.0-litre) can be a delight when pampered, but it does have a few party tricks you would rather it did not.

Here are the usual suspects in Australia:

• Oil leaks from the valve cover gasket and oil filter housing gasket, leaving smoky smells and shiny driveways.
• Tingy timing chain or tensioner rattle on cold start; ignore it and you flirt with chain stretch.
• Grumpy VANOS solenoids and the eccentric shaft sensor causing rough idle and occasional limp mode.
• Ageing ignition coils and plugs causing misfires, plus tired front control arm bushes and the odd window regulator failure.

Cooling bits like thermostats, hoses and expansion tanks also age, so fresh coolant and preventative replacement stave off headaches.

Buy on service history, not badges; a pre-purchase inspection by a BMW-savvy mechanic is worth its weight in schnitzel.